California Crane School guarantees anyone who takes our class that can read the English language and can demonstrate basic arithmetic skills (adding & subtracting) will pass the crane operator certification written tests or their next open enrollment class with us is free. (up to one year from original training session)
Currently California Crane School teaches a 16-hour telescopic boom crane class that will cover the fixed and swing telescopic boom cranes. We try to keep the lattice boom cranes separate so that the class time is spent on the specific material pertaining to the cranes that most crane operators in California and Nevada will be operating.
California Crane School understands that all the students who attend this class are not full time crane operators. Many students have other professions such as plumbers, mechanics, linemen, and maintenance workers that only operate a crane from time to time. We have designed an intense and fun course complete with practical (hands on) testing that will get anyone from the novice to a full time crane operator through the crane operator certification written tests with ease in just 2.5 days. We have the reputation and the pass rates that prove it.√ Private classes and practical tests are also available

√ Items covered in the class:

OUR CLASSES COVER WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW TO PASS THE CRANE OPERATOR CERTIFICATION WRITTEN TESTS

Crane operator certification written tests are separated into 4 domains

1. Know that the suitability of the supporting surface to handle the expected loads of the operation must be assessed. Elements of concern include but are not limited to: (a) weakness below the surface such as voids, tanks and loose fill; (b) weakness on the surface such as retaining walls, slopes, excavations and depressions.

2. Know the proper use of mats, blocking or cribbing and outriggers or crawlers as they affect the suitability of supporting surfaces to handle the expected loads of the operation.

3. Know site hazards and restrictions, such as electric power lines and piping.

4. Know how to identify and evaluate site access and usability.

5. Know how to review planned operations and requirements with site supervision (i.e., signal person), to include determination of working height, boom length, load radius and travel clearance.

5. Know how to determine if there is adequate room for extension of crawlers or outriggers/ stabilizers and counterweights.

7. Know how to react to changes in conditions that affect the safe operation of the crane.

8. Know how to shut down and secure the crane properly when leaving it unattended.

9. Know the manufacturer's specifications for operating in various weather conditions, and understand how environmental conditions affect the safe operation of the crane.

10. Know how to properly level the crane.

11. Know how to verify the weight of the load and rigging prior to initiation of the lift.

12. Know how to determine where the load is to be picked up and placed and how to verify the radii.

13. Know basic load rigging procedures.

14. Know how to perform daily maintenance and inspection.

15. Know how to use the following operator aids:

(I) LMI and rated load indicator

(II) wind indicator

(III) anti-two block device

(IV) boom angle indicator

(V) load indicating device

(VI) boom length indicators

(VII) drum rotation indicators

16. Know that the following operations require specific procedures and skill levels:

(I) multi-crane lifts

(II) suspended personnel platforms

(III) clamshell/dragline operations

(IV) pile driving and extracting

(V) concrete operations

(VI) demolition operations

(VII) barge operations

(IX) magnet operations

(X) multi-drum operations

17. Know the proper procedures for operating safely under the following conditions:

(I) traveling with suspended loads

(II) approaching two-blocking

(III) operating near electric power lines

(IV) using suspended personnel platform

(V) using other than full outrigger/crawler extensions

(VI) lifting loads from beneath the surface of the water

(VIII) using various approved counterweight configurations

(IX) handling loads out of the operator's vision ("operating in the blind")

(X) using electronic communications techniques, such as radios

18. Know the proper procedures for load control and the use of hand-held tag lines.

19. Know emergency response procedure for:

(I) fire control

(II) electric power line contact

(III) loss of stability

(IV) control malfunction

(V) two-blocking

(VI) overload

(VII) carrier or travel malfunction

20. Know how to properly use the outriggers in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

(Approximately 28% of the test)

1. Know the functions and limitations of the crane and attachments.

2. Know wire rope:

(I) construction and breaking strength

(II) inspection procedures

(III) replacement criteria and procedures

(IV) capacity and when multi-part rope is needed

(V) maintenance

(VI) relationship between line pull and safe working load.

3. Know bow to determine the manufacturer's recommended rope for the crane.

4. Know rigging devices and their use, such as:

(I) slings

(II) spreaders

(III) lifting beams

(IV) wire rope fittings, such as clips, shackles and wedge sockets

(V) saddles (softeners)

(VI) clamps (beams)

5. Know the limitations of protective measures against electrical hazards:

(I) grounding

(II) proximity warning devices

(III) insulated Jinks

(IV) boom cages

(V) proximity to electric power lines, radio and microwave structures

6. Know the limitations of protective measures against electrical hazards:

7. Know basic crane terms.

8. Know the basics of machine power flow systems.

(I) mechanical

(II) electrical

(III) pneumatic

(IV) hydraulic

(V) combination

9. Know the significance of the instruments and gauge readings.

10. Know the requirements of pre-operation and inspection and maintenance.

11. Know how to use operational assist devices which include:

(I) anti-two lock devices

(II) load moment indicators and rated load indicators

(III) outrigger position indicators

(IV) mechanical levels

(V) boom angle indicators

(VI) load indicating devices

(VII) lboom stops and boom hoist disconnects

(VIII) radius indicators

(IX) drum rotation indicators

(X) boom length indicators

12. Know how to calculate net capacity for every possible configuration of crane using the manufacturer's load chart.

13. Know how to use manufacturer approved attachments and their effect on the crane.

14. Know how to obtain dimensions, weight and center of gravity of the load.

15. Know how to obtain dimensions, weight and center of gravity of the load.

(I) wind

(II) stopping and starting

(III) impact loading

(IV) moving with the load

16. Know the difference between duty-cycle and lifting operations.

17. Know the effect of side loading.

18. Know the principles of backward stability.

19. Know the effects of thermal expansion and contraction in hydraulic cylinders.

(Approximately 25% of the test)

1. Know the terminology necessary to use load charts.

2. Know how to ensure that the load chart is the appropriate chart for the machine in its particular application.

3. Know how to use load charts. This includes knowing:

(I) the operational limitations of load charts and footnotes

(II) how to relate the chart to the configuration of the crane, crawlers, or outriggers extended or retracted, jib erected or offset, and various counterweight configurations

(III) the difference between structural capacity and capacity limited by stability

(IV) what is included in load chart capacity

(V) the range diagram and its relationship to the load chart

(VI) the work area chart and its relationship to the load chart

(VII) where to find and how to use the "parts-of line" information

4. Know the terminology necessary to use load charts.

Practical Testing (Mobile Cranes)

Small telescopic or fixed cab practical test covers all telescopic boom cranes that have a fixed operators station.Large telescopic or swing cab practical test covers all telescopic boom cranes that have an operators station that rotates with the upperworks.Lattice boom cranes covers crawler and truck mounted cranes.
A crane operator is required to complete the following tasks for each crane type on which they would like to be certified.

Pre task familiarization period (15 minutes)

1: Place overhead ball in stop circle (optimum time 1:30)

2: Follow hand signals (not timed)

3: Place overhead ball in two barrels (optimum time 3:30)

Familiarization with test weight (5 minutes)

4-A: Negotiate zigzag corridor with test weight in forward fashion

(optimum time 3:00 Swing cab) (optimum time 4:00 Fixed cab)

4-B: Negotiate zigzag corridor with test weight in forward fashion

(optimum time 3:00 Swing cab) (optimum time 4:00 Fixed cab)

Most of these tasks will be timed.

RECENT IMPLIES

TESTIMONIALS

AAA SERVICES

BARRY KNAPP

"Pretty intense but very informative. I felt very anxious before the class, but after the first day, I felt very confident the actual test was easy after taking the classes."

All American Asphalt

Don Stratton

"You guys did a great job of pounding info into my head. (In a comfortable way.)"

Anderson Pacific

Kent Edwards

"As well as the coverage of the test material, the focus on the load charts helped me understand them in depth. I learned many items that are important to safe crane operation awareness."

Wes Wallace

"Whether your a seasoned veteran or being introduced to the fundamentals of crane operating for the first time you will leave with a much better perspective on the role of crane operators and the contributions we make to keep personnel on the job safe. Your curriculum was organized and very easy to absorb. Combine that with a practical exam and three days of your time and you have all you need to remain Cal-Os ha certified in a jiff! Thanks John."

Syblon Rein

Duane Craft

"The class I took here at Calif. Crane with John & crew was well worth taking and I felt I learned more here then I could have else where. And was not only learning, it was fun and comftortable. Thanks."